Breech-closure.



M. HEHIVISDORF.

BREECH CLOSURE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 2, 1907.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Patented July 18, 1909.

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M. HERMSDORF.

BREEGE GLOSURE.

\PPLIGATION FILED AUG.Z, 1907.

Patented July 13, 1909.

' a SHEETS-SEBET z.

r M. HERMSDORF,

BREEOH CLOSURE.

APPLIGATION FILED AUG. 2 1907.

Patented July 13, 1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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TTF STATES ATEN T OFFICE.

MAX HERMSDORF, OF ESSEN-ON-THE-RUHR, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR TO FRIED. KRUPP,

AKTIENGESELLSOHAFT, OF ESSEN-ON-THE-RUHR, GERMANY.

BREECI-I-CLOSURE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, MAX HnRMsooRF, a subject of the Emperor of Germany, and a resident of Essen-on-the-Ruhr, Germany, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Breech-Closures, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to breech closures and the object of the same is to provide the closure with a firing device which combines the advantages of the type of firing devices that are cocked upon the movement of the breech block and released from the cocking position after the closure is closed, and the advantages of the so-called firing devices with continuous pull mechanism, without possessing the disadvantages of these two types of firing devices.

The accompanying drawings show by the way of example, one embodiment of those parts of a gun with vertical wedge closure and operating lever to which the invention relates.

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through the breech of the gun barrel, looking from the left, the closure being closed and the firing pin being in firing position (a part of the breech is shown in elevation) Fig. 2 is a view corresponding to that shown in Fig. l the firing pin being in cocked position; Fig. 3 shows some details in the position as per Fig. 1 Fig. 4 shows the same parts as 3 in the position as per Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a section on line 55, Fig. 1, looking from the left; Fig. 6 is a section on line 6--6, Fig. 1, looking from. the left; Fig. 7 is a section on line 77, Fig. 5, looking from the left, some parts being omitted; Figs. 8 to 11 are sectional views corresponding to that shown in Fig. 7 and showing some parts in difierent positions; Fig. 12 is a section on line 1212, Fig. 5, looking from the right, the firing pin being in cocked position; Fig. 13 is the same section as that shown in Fig. 12, some parts being in a different position Fig. 14 is a section on line l41-l, Fig. 5, looking from the ri ht but with some parts in a diflerent position.

The breech block B can be moved up and down in the breech A of the gun barrel through the medium of an operating lever C which is rotatably mounted in the breech A and is provided with a stud c which engages in the usual groove 1) in the left side wall of the breech block B.

In the interior of the breech block B is ar- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 2, 1907.

Patented July 13, 1909.

Serial No. 386,843.

I ranged the firing pin D which is under the action of the firing spring E and of a cocking lever F which projects into the path of the firing pin. By means of the cooking lever F the firing pin can be moved from the firing position shown in F ig. 1 to the cooked position shown in Fig. 2 and Figs. 8 to 13 and during this movement of the firing pin tension is imparted to the firing spring E. The cocking lever F is mounted on a shaft F- the cooking shaftwhich, on that end which is toward the operating lever G, is provided with a cam F which is provided with two noses f", f and with a notch f hen the closure is closed and the firing pin D is in the firing position (Fig. 7) the nose f projects into the path of a nose 0 arranged on the operating lever C and the relative arrangement of these parts is such that, when the operating lever during the opening of the closure is turned a small angle in the direction of the arrow 00 (Figs. 7 and 8), the cam F and the cooking lever F move from the position shown in Fig. 7 to the position shown in Fig. 8 in which the firing pin D is in the cocked position.

The notch f 5 is adapted to receive a nose g which is arranged on a sear G rotatably mounted in the breech block through the medium of a trunnion 9 By means of a bayonet closure the trunnion g of the sear G is held against axial movement and the trunnion is under the action of a helical spring 9 (Fig. 5) which tends to turn the sear G in the direction of the arrow y (Figs. 7 and 8). The relative arrangement of the parts is so selected that, as soon as the cam F has reached the position shown in Fig. 8, the nose g can jump into the notch f 5 under the action of the spring 9 and hold the cam F in that position.

The sear G is provided with a second nose 9 which is arranged in such a manner that, when the nose 9 rests in the notch f of the cam F (Fig. 9), the nose 9 toward the end of the closing movement of the closure comes into the path of a second nose 0 on the operating lever C, and, when the operating lever 0 makes such rotation, in the direction of the arrow 2 (Fig. 9), as is necessary to lock the closure, the nose 0 of the operating lever carries the nose 9 along until the nose 9 moves out of the notch)" (Fig. 10).

Parallel to the cooking shaft F a shaft I-I the inner trigger shaftis journaled in the breech block and has secured thereto a sear H of a shape which is most clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4. A cocking nut F (see in particular Figs. 3 and 4), which is jointed to the cocking lever F, can cooperate with the sear H in the same manner as in the percussion lock shown in my prior U. S. patent No. 797,853. On that end of the trigger shaft H which is toward the cam F a disk H having a nose 7L3, is rigidly secured. The disk H is under the influence of a convolute spring H (Fig. 5) which tends to turn the disk and the trigger shaft H rigid therewith in the direction of the arrow to (Figs. 4, 7, 8 and 11) and tends to hold these parts in the position of rest which is most clearly shown in Fig. 4 and in which a surface or shoulder on the sear H lies against a surface b on the breech block. In this position of the trigger shaft H, the nose 7L on the disk H assumes such a position that it projects into the path of the nose or shoulder f on the cam F (Figs. 9, 10, 12 and 13) and is capable of holding the cam F the cooking lever F and the firing pin D in cocked position. On the other hand, the arrangement is so selected that, when the trigger shaft H is turned a small angle from its position of rest in the opposite direction of the arrow 11., the nose or shoulder 7L3 passes out of the path of the nose or shoulder f (Figs. 7, 8 and 11).

In the right side wall of the breech A a shaft J -the outer trigger shaft is journaled (see in particular Figs. 5 and 14), a lever J being rigidly secured to the outer end of the said shaft J. When the closure is closed, the axis of the shaft J coincides with the axis of the inner trigger shaft H and that end-of the inner trigger shaft H which, in this position of the breech block, is opposite the shaft J is strengthened (Fig. 5) and provided with a slot 72; for a rib or projection 77 on the shaft J, the slot h having an enlarged upper portion (Figs. 5, 12 and 13). By reason of this arrangement the two shafts are coupled together in the aforesaid relative position. On the shaft J is loosely and rotatably mounted a lever K for which arecess a (Fig. 14) is provided in the breech. The recess a has two end walls, (b and e and the nave of the lever K is provided with a ring sector-shaped pocket 76 (Fig. 14) in which engages a nose or rib i on the shaft J. The pocket 76 per mits of the shaft J turning to a slight extent relatively to the lever K. When the outer trigger shaft J is coupled to the inner trigger shaft H the spring H, which acts in the di rection of the arrow at (Fig. 14), tends to hold the nose or rib i in contact with one of the radial end walls (762) of the pocket 7c. The arrangement is so selected that, when the shafts H andJ are coupledtogether and are in their position of rest, the lever K lies against theend wall a of the recess a (Fig. 14). Furthermore, the arrangement is such that, when the lever K is turned from the position just mentioned, (in the direction of the arrow 1)) into its other extreme position in which it lies againstthe end wall a of the recess a, the nose h comes into the position shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 11. The position which the lever K assumes in the first instance is indicated by I in the drawing and the position it assumes in the second instance is indicated by H.

hen the shaft J is coupled to the inner trigger shaft H and lever K is in position H the sear H assumes the position shown in Fig. 3. By J can still be turned independently of the lever K in the direction of-the arrow '0 until the nose or rib "L lies against the radial end wall k (Fig. 14) of the pocket 76. This turning of the shaft J imparts to the inner trigger shaft H the swinging movement necessary for pulling the trigger mechanism formed by the parts F, H, H, J, J.

Through the medium of a trunnion which has its. axis parallel to that of the-jshaft J a onearmed leverMv (Figs. 1 and 2) which is under the influence of a helical spring m is journaled in that side wall of the breech A which serves as hearing for the shaft J. The spring m tends to hold the lever M in the position of rest shown in Figs. 1 and 2 in which the lever M lies with a nose or shoulder m against a striker or stop a onthe breech. The nave of the lever M is pro vided with a notch m (Fig. 1) for a nose or projection i on the nave of the lever J. The arrangement of the parts is selected in such a manner that, on the one hand, the nose or projection i engages in the notch m (Fig. 2) when the lever K- is in position I and the projection i hes against the end wall 7c of the pocket 76 (Fig. 14). On the other hand, the nose or projection i is out of: engagement with the notch 'm (Fig. 1) when the lever K is in position II. When the nose 1' rests in the notch m, the lever M is secured against turning. 11' the nose i is out of engagement with the notch m the lever M can be turned in the direction of the arrow w (Figs. 1 and 2). The lever Mis pro vided with a lateral pin or boss m (Figs. 1 and 2) which engages over the lever J in such a manner that when the lever M is turned in the direction of the arrow w the lever J can be carried along in the same dimotion.

In the description of the mode of operation of the firing mechanism it will be as sumed that the parts are in the position -which they assume directly after firing (Figs. 1, 3 and 7). The closure is then completely closed. and locked; the firing pin D is in the firing position; the nose 0 of the operating lever O lies against the nose or shoulderf of the cam F the nose g of the sear G is out of engagement with the notch means of the lever J the shaft f; the outer trigger shaft J is coupled to the inner trigger shaft H the lever K isin position II; the projection i of the shaft J assumes the angular position shown in Fig. 13; the nose or shoulder f of the cam F projects into the path of the nose or sh0ul der ha of the disk H and prevents the trigger shaft H from moving into the position of restunder the influence of the spring H the sear H is in the position shown in Fig. 3; the no se 2 of the lever J is out of engagement with the notch m of the lever M.

When the closure is opened the operating lever 0 turns in the direction of the arrow (Fig. 7 and 8), and, through the medium of the noses c and f, the turning movement of the operating lever C is transmitted to the cocking lever F in the direction to bring the firing pin D from firing position to cocked position. As soon as the firing pin has reached cocked position (Fig. 8) the spring causes the nose 9 of the sear G to move into the notch f of the cam F and the spring H causes the trigger shaft H to move into its position of rest in which the nose or shoulder h of the disk H projects into the path of and lies against the nose or shoulder f (Fig. 9). The firing pin is then held against forward movement both by the nose g of the sear G and by the nose or shoulder 7L3 of the disk H each forming a locking means for the firing pin. The opening of the closure furthermore causes the coupling between the outer trigger shaft J and the inner trigger shaft H to be disconnected. During these proceedings, the trigger or lever K can remain in position 11 because the aforesaid swinging movement of the trigger shaft H does not take place until the coupling h i has been so much disconnected that the shaft H can swing relatively to the shaft J the distance necessary for making the locking device h f effective. When the closure after the opening is reclosed and the breech block makes the last part of its upward movement the coupling between the outer trigger shaft J and the inner trigger shaft H is again made effective. If the lever K is not held against movement and is still in position II the projection i will then be turned into the angular position shown in Fig. 12 and the lever K will therefore be in position I after the coupling is effected. When the breech block has reached its uppermost position and the lug c of the operating leverO, that turns in the direction of the arrow 2 (Fig. 9), moves in that part of the curved groove 6, which is concentric with the axis of rotation of the operating lever, the nose 0 of the operating lever moves the sear G through the medium of the nose 9 until the nose g moves out of the notch The several parts of the firing device then assume the position shown in Fig. 10. The firing pin is then held in the cocked position by the nose 7L only. For the purpose of firing the gun the trigger or lever K is pulled back from position I (Fig. 14) to position H, and thus through the medium of the shaft J H causes the disk H to be brought into such a position that its nose k does not any longer project into the path of the nose f The firing pin then moves forwardly into its firing position. After firing has taken place, the various parts again assume the position shown in Fig. 7.

If the lever K is held against movement in position H, the firing takes place automatically. The projection t of the shaft J then assumes the angular position shown in Fig. 13, and, when, during the closing of the closure, the breech block approaches its uppermost position (Fig. 13) the slot 7L is in the angular position shown in Figs. 12 and 13. As the projection 11 is held against rotation through the medium of the shaft J and lever K the inner trigger shaft H must therefore, when the coupling 7f 2' is effected, turn into the angular position corresponding to position H of the lever K and in this position of the shaft H the nose 7L3 is out of the path of the nose f Therefore, as soon as the breech block reaches its uppermost position (Fig. 11), the firing pin is held in the cocked position by the locking device 9 5 only. However, while the operating lever approaches its end position, the locking device g f is also disengaged in the above described manner through the cooperation of the noses c g and the firing pin then moves forwardly. If new a misfire takes place the trigger mechanism F G H H J J is employed. After a misfire the parts of the firing device assume the position shown in Fig. 7 as they do after each firing. The lever K is in position H and the sear H is in the position shown in Fig. 3. The nose I of the lever J is out of the notch m of the lever M (Fig. 1). If then the lever M is pulled back in the direction of the arrow w the lever J is turned in the same direction, by the pin m and the shaft J turns with the lever J and independently of the lever K. By this turning movement of the shaft J, which is transmitted to the inner trigger shaft H by the coupling 2' hr, the firing pin is in the known manner moved into its cocked position through cooperation of the sear H and cooking nut F and is immediately thereafter again released. The firing by means of the trigger mechanism F H H J J may be repeated as often as de sired.

From the foregoing description it will be understood that the invention, as stated in the preamble, provides an intimate combination of the type of firing devices in which the device is cooked and fired from the cocked position by the opening and closing of the closure with a firing device with continuous pull mechanism, the combination being such that the combined firing device possess the advantages of both types of firing devices without having their disadvantages. The firing devices of the first named type have, as commonly known, the advantage of re 'quiring only a very small amount of energy for pulling them While they have the disadvantage that in case of misfire Where the firing is to be repeated, the closure must first be opened and again closed. The firing devices with continuous pull mechanism have the advantage that in case of misfire they can be pulled as often as desired without requiring the closure to be opened, while they have the disadvantage of requiring a considerable amount of energy for their operation. In the firing device as per the present invention only a small amount of energy is required when the firing is effected as it is under ordinary circumstances, through the medium of the lever K; on the other hand, when misfire has taken place the firing device can be pulled as often as desired without requiring the closure to be opened.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A gun provided with a movable breech block and having a firing device moved to cocked position upon the movement of the breech block, and a continuous pull mechanism also adapted to cock the firing device.

2. A gun provided withamovable breech block and having a firing device, means whereby the firing device is moved to cocked position upon the movement of the breech block, and a continuous pull mechanism adapted to cock the firing device independently of the movement of the breech block.

3. A gun provided with a movable breech block and having a firing device moved to cocked position upon the movement of the breech block, and a firing device with continuous pull mechanism having its firing pin, its cocking lever and trigger shaft in common with the other firing device.

4. A gun provided with a movable breech block and having a firing device moi ed to cocked position upon the movement of the breech block, and a firing device with contin uous pull mechanism having its firing pin, its cocking lever and trigger shaft in common with the other firing device and means preventing the operation of the firing device with continuous pull mechanism until the trigger shaft has been turned to uncocking position of the other firing device.

5. A gun provided with a movable breech block and having a firing device moved to cocked position upon the movement of the breech block, and a firing device with continuous pull mechanism having essential parts in common with the other firing device, and means preventing the operation of the firing device with continuous pull mechanism while the first named firing device is in cocked position.

6. A gun provided with a movable breech block and having a firing device moved to cocked osition upon the movement of the breech bqock, and a firing device with continuous pull mechanism having essential parts in common with the other firing device and means permitting the operation of the firing device with continuous pull mechanism only when first named firing device is in uncooked position.

7. A gun provided with a movable breech block and having a firing device moved to cocked position upon the movement of the breech block, and a firing device with continuous pull mechanism having a trigger shaft common to the first named firing device.

8. A gun provided with a movable breech block and having a firing device moved to cocked osition upon the movement of the breech lock, and a firing device with continuous pull mechanism having a trigger shaft common to the first named firing device, and comprising two parts, one journaled in the breech block an d the other ournaled in the gun barrel.

9. A gun provided with a movable breech block and having a firing device moved to cocked position upon the movement of the breech block, and a firing device with con tinuous pull mechanism having a trigger shaft, common to the first-named firing device and comprising two parts, one journaled in the breech block and the other journaled in the gun barrel, and a trigger for operating the first-named firing device, connected to the part of the trigger shaft journaled in the gun barrel in such a manner that the said part of the shaft may also turn independently of the said trigger to operate the firing device with continuous pull mechanism.

10. A gun provided with a movable breech block and having a firing device moved to cocked osition upon the movement of the breech lock, and a firing device with continuous pull mechanism having a trigger shaft common to the first named firing device, and a trigger journaled on the trigger shaft and having a movement relatively thereto.

11. The combination with a breech block, and its operating lever, of a firing device with continuous pull mechanism having a cocking lever, moved by the operating lever to cook the said. firing device, and a sear for holding the cooking lever in cocked position, moved by the operating lever to release the cooking lever.

12. The combination with a breech block and its operating lever, of a firing device with continuous pull mechanism having a cocking lever, cooperating means on the operating lever and the cocking lever for moving the cocking lever to cook the firing device, a scar for holding the cocking lever in cocked position, and cooperating means on the operat ing lever and the sear for operating the sear to release the cooking lever upon the closing of the breech.

13. A gun provided With a movable breech block and having a firing device moved tococked position upon the movement of the breech block, and a firing device with continuous pull mechanism having its firing pin, its cocking lever and trigger shaft in common With the other firing device, two locking devices for the cooking lever, means for automatically releasing one of said locking devices by the closing of the breech block, and manually operable means for releasing the other locking device.

14. A gun provided with a movable breech block and having a firing device moved to cocked position upon the movement of the breech block, and a firing device With continuous pull mechanism having its firing pin, its cocking lever and trigger shaft in common With the other firing device, and means permitting the operation of the firing device with continuous pull mechanism only When the first-named firing device is in uncocked position.

The foregoing specification signed at Dusseldorf, Germany, this eighteenth day of June, 1907.

MAX HERMSDORF.

In presence o'f M. ENGELS, ALFRED POHLMEYER. 

